Jonas Kerner

Writing, Lettering, Flourishing


Folder: Ephemera
Examples of ornamental penmanship, flourishes, handwriting, calligraphy, lettering, and drawing.

Jonas Kerner

Charles Smith—Ornamental Pensmanship on a Calling…

18 Aug 2016 6 1176
"Chas. H. Smith. Compliments." (I'm not sure that the middle initial is H, however.) An impressive example of ornamental penmanship on a hand-drawn and -lettered "flourished" calling card that likely dates to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. Note how the bird appears to be eyeing an insect of some sort. Here are some other similarly ornate cards: Although it's not as ornate, this flourished card also features a bird chasing after an insect: This one's even simpler: The design on the following calling card is printed, but it imitates the hand-drawn and -lettered cards:

Emma Myers

Kate McCartney, Shiremanstown, Pa.

Hetty Geist

Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Shoemaker, Dakota, Illinois

02 Jul 2018 2 1 602
A postcard-sized example of ornamental penmanship featuring a flourished bird. The piece is unsigned and may date to as early as the 1880s or 1890s. "Compliments of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Shoemaker, Dakota, Ill." Joseph Shellenberger Shoemaker (1854-1936) was a well-known bishop in the Mennonite Church. He and his wife, Elizabeth Sechrist Brubaker (1856-1931), were married in 1877, and they were members of the Freeport Mennonite Church in Freeport, Illinois. For additional examples of bird flourishes and other ornamental penmanship, see my Writing, Lettering, Flourishing album and the Clinton Clark Scrapbook , which was uploaded to the Internet Archive by IAMPETH (International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting).

Clara H. Watkins, Landlady, Hotel, Long Green, Md.

23 Jun 2015 3 821
"Clara H. Watkins, Landlady, Hotel, Long Green, Md."

A. C. Krider, Happy New Year, 1882

E. E. Casselberry

Ena L. Metcalf, Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot

31 Dec 2013 2 753
Ena L. Metcalf. Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind.

Reward of Merit

26 Aug 2013 2 880
"Presented to Lizzie Kensinger by E. A. Feight, teacher."

E. L. Muellich, Dealer in Love, Kisses, and Up-to-…

14 Feb 2014 1 610
"E. L. Muellich, wholesale and retail dealer in love, kisses, and up-to-date hugs. I have no soliciters, all claiming to be, are fakes. Sole proprietor, lover's lane. A trial is all I ask, special attention to other people's girls. " Acquaintance cards like this one were popular in the United States during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries They were a humorous way for young men to start up conversations, break the ice, flirt, or otherwise get acquainted with young ladies. In contrast to the formality of the Victorian-era calling cards, acquaintance cards were lighthearted and humorous, and they parodied the conventional etiquette of exchanging calling cards. The elaborate penmanship executed for the name in this example suggests that it may have been purchased through the mail or perhaps at an amusement park or at the beach. For additional examples, see my Flickr Acquaintance Cards set, which was featured in Brett and Kate McKay's article " May I See You Home? 19th Century Calling Cards Guaranteed to Score You a Date " on The Art of Manliness blog, Feb. 13, 2014.

Jack-O'-Lantern Card for Charles

Witch and Jack-O'-Lantern Card for Helene

Noel, Bob Hildrebrand, 1956

05 Dec 2013 2 1037
A unique handpainted Christmas postcard made from some sort of art board. Postmarked in York, Pa., Dec. 22, 1956, and sent to Lancaster, Pa. I believe that the artist who painted this postcard (it's not a print) was H. Robert Hildebrand, who was known for his paintings of dogs and other animals. See the following blog postings: York County Native H. Robert Hildebrand Was a Prolific Pet Portraitist and More Cute Dogs with Famous Owners Painted by York Native H. R. Hildebrand . For another postcard painting by the same artist, see Merry Christmas, Bob Hildrebrand, 1955 .

Merry Christmas, Bob Hildrebrand, 1955

05 Dec 2013 3 1644
A one-of-a-kind handpainted Christmas postcard made from some sort of art board. Postmarked in Chantilly, Virginia, Dec. 16, 1955. Sent to Lancaster, Pa., with a return address in York, Pa. I believe that the artist who painted this postcard (it's not a print) was H. Robert Hildebrand, who was known for his paintings of dogs and other animals. See the following blog postings: York County Native H. Robert Hildebrand Was a Prolific Pet Portraitist and More Cute Dogs with Famous Owners Painted by York Native H. R. Hildebrand . For another postcard painting by the same artist, see Noel, Bob Hildrebrand, 1956 .

Corn Dogs Sign

03 Oct 2013 1 750
Doesn't everyone secretly yearn for their own vintage painted wooden sign for corn dogs ? I couldn't resist for some reason when I saw it at a local antique mall a couple of weeks ago. If I decide to open a corn dog stand at the fair next year, I guess I'm all set! 8-)

C. B. Winchell, Harrisburg, Pa.

20 Mar 2018 1 565
"Presented by C. B. Winchell, Harrisburg, Pa." This inscription, handwritten in elaborate Spencerian script , appears on the reverse of a business card for "E. R. Parker, manufacturer and dealer in new hardware specialties, 227½ Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, Pa."

20 items in total